Luang Prabang Family Trip

After breakfast, meet the guide and embark on a unique adventure to Luang Prabang’s largest market, Phosy Market! Rub elbows with the locals and gain a deeper insight into their daily life. Begin the amazing race with a brief Lao lesson from the guide to learn some basic words. Working individually, or in teams, today’s goal is to try to take photos of all the objects written in Lao on the list. The first one to collect photos of all the items wins! After the race, enjoy Lao dishes in a family-run Tamarind restaurant dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the local cuisine. The friendly staff will happily explain the ingredients and customs of the cuisine during the meal.

After lunch, drive through the outskirts of Luang Prabang and take a short trek to Kuang Si Waterfall, a cascading series of clear water pools. Relax at the waterfall or opt for an adventurous trek to the top of the falls. There is an option to make a stop at the Asiatic Black Bear sanctuary. Located near the falls, this centre houses endangered bears rescued from poachers. Learn about work involved to stop the poachers and preserve the bear’s natural habitat. Return to the city in the late afternoon and enjoy the scenic views of rural landscapes of Lao countryside. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

This morning, set-off for the countryside for what promises to be an unforgettable experience: a day as an organic farmer in Laos. The destination is a local organic farm: a stilted wooden farmhouse situated in the middle of emerald green rice paddies. The organic farm, established by the local community after seeing an increase in destructive slash-and-burn agricultural techniques, not only feeds the community but also helps to educate other farmers on sustainable farming methods. Learn about the vegetable garden and witness various activities such as basket weaving, noodle making and sugarcane juicing with a knowledgeable farmer from the community. Gain a deeper appreciation for the Lao farmers with hands-on work on the fields. Learn about the various stages of rice production and help the farmers plough, plant, harvest or thresh the rice using traditional techniques. Having worked up an appetite, a selection of rice-based snacks will be served before returning to Luang Prabang at midday.

Be picked up from the hotel in Luang Prabang in the afternoon and be transferred to the village of Xieng Lom. Upon arrival, enjoy some tea or coffee while the guide provides an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior, their connection with humans and the best means of interacting with these majestic creatures. After the introduction, begin the ‘cooking’ portion of the itinerary. Spend some time alongside the mahouts and learn how to create delicious snacks for an instant connection with the elephants. Using rice as a base, combine fruits, herbs and seasonings into what is described here as an elephant health ball. With the food prepared, the first meeting will take place. Embark on a boat ride across the Nam Khan River where the elephants await. The guide will provide instruction on how to approach and interact with the elephants, as well as the best means of delivering their special handmade snack. Then, watch and observe how the elephants and their mahouts interact and bond during bathtime in the river. After the bath, embark on a short 1 km trek up Hoy Kang Stream side-by side these gentle giants. This trek is flat and can be catered to clients’ needs or physical abilities. Enjoy a final drink and snack overlooking the Nam Khan River, followed by the short journey back to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang

(NOTE: MandaLao Elephant Conservation does not allow clients to bathe the elephants directly. This is in line with the WAP-World Animal Protection Guidelines. The elephants are free to choose if they enter the river or not and the only people that will wash the elephants would be their mahout.)